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As someone who is LGBT, this is a genuine fear - that the Tories will begin to advocate for a rollback of hard won rights and freedoms. The Trans right issue is one that should be done with a level head and compassion, as it’s a debate about how the rights of one group should be weighted and...

That’s pretty much what would happen if the HS2 rolling stock is lengthened to 10 coaches. Currently it is proposed to seat 528 over 8 coaches. Assuming 84 seats per standard carriage, you get to 696 seated, in a 250m train - and that’s keeping first class and the buffet. Back on topic...

There is also the issue of having 2 separate sub fleets to maintain, and having to ensure that units stick to their diagrammed routes. It’s not insurmountable but is a problem. If I were the DFT, I’d definitely look at it as a solution. The options for rolling stock are probably reasonably...

I don't believe that this is possible, as I think there is a requirement for the train to be able to split in half - similar to the Eurostar units. This is for redundancy, safety and evacuation reasons - in the event of an incident, people can evacuate to the front or rear 4 coaches. It would be...

Currently, the plan for NPR is identical to what was proposed for phase 2b; the scheme reuses the Airport station, airport tunnel and Piccadilly station, connecting it either side with a new stretch of high speed track. The Hybrid Bill for 2b is in the process of being repurposed for NPR. This...

Lumo trains manage to fit 402 seats into a 130m unit; so I suspect that if the HS2 trains were so specified, you could fit more than the 610 seats in an 11 car pendolino. My understanding of the proposed service specification is that 1tph “classic” service from Euston to Manchester via Milton...

A lot of planning was done; it resulted in the report linked earlier on phase 2a alternatives and the conclusion that the solution to Colwich was phase 2A. Now that’s officially canned, the DFT sponsor team, together with NR and HS2 are having to look again at what can be done. The outputs from...

A 200m 8 coach HS2 train is currently proposed to have 528 seats - this is more than the 469 in a 9 car Pendolino and I suspect that this number can be increased a fair bit - removal of some tables, kitchen area etc.

This is a very useful document, that outlines all the alternatives to Phase 2a. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a804c0bed915d74e33f99d2/rail-alternatives-to-hs2-phase-2a.pdf

One potential option, which I think was explored at the outset of HS2 but discounted at the time, is basically a PPP scheme where the private sector pays a fair chunk of the construction costs, in exchange for charging chunky track access charges to the WCML operator and taking commercial...

Purely hypothetical; but if NPR got built from Liverpool to Marsden with a new station at Manchester Airport and a new station at Piccadilly, could a connecting chord be built from the Styal Line to the NPR Airport station, and then run into the tunnel into Piccadilly? Effectively HS2 is built...

Putting phase 2a to one side for the moment, I think the best we can hope for from a new government is some more practical and rational decisions on outstanding phase 1 items. The bucket of things that needs resolving includes 1) Euston and whether it gets built 2) Handsacre connection; fast...

So building on this, given this is speculative discussion, what do we all think could be a sensible WCML/HS2 service pattern, based on the following hypothetical constraints - OOC terminus till mid 2030s; it can cope with 6 2x200m (400m) trains off peak but with a peak flexing up to 8tph...

Ahh okay, it makes sense, especially with capacity issues, but is disappointing. I’m not a signalling engineer so probably have misinterpreted what I heard on the grapevine.

This is disappointing but was widely expected and to be honest, has been priced into current industry expectations re phase 2a. Compulsory purchase powers remain live until February 2026 and can be extended on a yearly basis for 5 years. Also, despite the wording, it is highly unlikely any land...

I'm not sure if it's been posted before, but I was on a refurbished 9 coach 390 this morning, and I noticed that they have added Red/Green lights next to the seat reservation displays, similar to those on the IET's. This don't remember this being the case on most of the 11 car 390's I've...

That's probably not an option unfortunately, as given the contract has been awarded, any changes to the tendered specification are very expensive as its unpicking an existing contract. It would be better to do a separate order for trailer coaches - think Class 390 lengthening - and then have the...

I was travelling the WCML the other day, and on a quick glance there is also space to lengthen the platforms at Wilmslow and Macclesfield. The issue on the Manchester services is Stockport; platform lengthening there would be very difficult, if not impossible. For the Manchester HS2 services...

The scope of future HS2/WCML service will depend on the configuration of Handsacre junction (fast or slow line connection), the interim service capacity at OOC, when Euston comes into operation, what length rolling stock is ordered, whether Crewe is lengthened to 400m, and whether some other...

I work on the project (all views my own), and can confirm 100% that zero HS2 staff, including the senior leadership team, were consulted by the government prior to the axing of phase 2. Its not a secret, indeed Sir John said the same at the Transport Select Committee. The reason for a lot of the...